Father Sandyawan's case

Sandyawan Sumardi, a Jesuit priest who is also director of a social institute in Jakarta, has been interrogated by the Jakarta police for giving shelter to three fugitive activists of the Democratic People's Party (PRD).

The priest had brought the activists to the house of his brother in Bekasi. The authorities had accused the activists of involvement in the July 27 incident.

Father Sandyawan acted in his capacity of a priest and also as secretary of the team of volunteers in aid of the victims of the July 27 incident.

It is clear that the noble profession of a Catholic churchman is to give help to persons who are confused, cornered or anxious; so in whatever situation, a churchman comes to the aid regardless of whether the object is a criminal, a friend or an enemy of the state. A priest's duty is identical to that of a doctor. If somebody needs help, help is directly given.

The police will probably bring Father Sandyawan to court. The maximum penalty is nine months imprisonment. It is the right of the police and the public prosecutor. However, the attorney's office also has the right to drop the case for the sake of public interest.

In my opinion, the priest cannot be faulted for exercising his profession. If Father Sandyawan is legally prosecuted, the international community will criticize Indonesia because it will be found to be not obeying the rules of the game in a country which respects moral values. The priest's action was based on conscience, not merely on law. A state is judged by its ability to act legally, not based on power.

Furthermore, Indonesia's philosophy of Pancasila is well known, embracing principles of a belief in God, social justice and just and civilized humanitarianism.

Father Sandyawan's brother, Benny Sumardi, should not be sued either because what he did was not intentional. He was not informed nor did he know the persons entrusted by the priest. He was only fulfilling the request of his younger brother.

I have no idea if he will be sued based on the subversion law, because this is flexible like rubber - it depends on the will of the party that wants to sue.

SUHARSONO HADIKUSUMO

West Jakarta